James Okonkwo - College Basketball News & Rumors

Nabs season high 13 boards Okonkwo ended Saturday's 89-84 loss to BYU with four points (2-2 FG), 13 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 28 minutes.

Impact Okonkwo ripped down a season-high 13 boards during Saturday's loss to BYU. The 6-foot-8 senior has started the last six games for the Utes, though his main contribution comes off the glass with averages of 2.5 points and 5.8 rebounds since entering the starting lineup.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Terrence Brown, Don McHenry help Utah hold off stubborn California Baptist 91-85

Terrence Brown had 27 points, Don McHenry scored 21 and Utah held off a stubborn California Baptist 91-85

DECEMBER 7, 2025 • Associated Press

Cal hosts McHenry and Utah

Utah visits the California Golden Bears after Don McHenry scored 27 points in the Utes' 75-74 victory against the Ole Miss Rebels

DECEMBER 2, 2025 • Associated Press

Available Saturday Okonkwo (not injury related) is available to face Sam Houston on Saturday, Deseret News Sports reports.

Impact Okonkwo was ineligible for Utah's first three games due to a transfer rule, but he's a full go for the Utes' fourth game, which comes Saturday. The Akron transfer figures to compete with Kendyl Sanders for frontcourt bench minutes.

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out next two games Okonkwo sat out Utah's opener and must also sit out the next two games due to a transfer rule, per The Runnin' Hoops Podcast.

Impact Okonkwo didn't play in the Utes' opener, and this explains why. The Akron transfer apparently won't be available to play until Nov. 15 against Sam Houston. Once he returns to action, Okonkwo should provide depth in Utah's front court this season.

NOVEMBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Runnin' Utes reportedly add transfer forward with previous Big 12 experience James Okonkwo has played at three schools previously, including Akron, North Carolina and West Virginia.

APRIL 13, 2025 • DESERET.COM

Transferring to Utah Okonkwo has committed to Utah for the 2025-26 season, Pete Nakos reports.

Impact A senior forward with previous stints at West Virginia and North Carolina, Okonkwo will look for another team to continue his college career. He averaged 6.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in 2024-25 while starting in 28 of his 35 appearances with Akron.

APRIL 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Arizona takes on Akron in first round of NCAA Tournament

MARCH 20, 2025 • Associated Press

Okonkwo's 17 help Akron defeat Eastern Michigan 105-81

Led by James Okonkwo's 17 points, the Akron Zips defeated the Eastern Michigan Eagles 105-81 on Saturday night

JANUARY 11, 2025 • Associated Press

Plays eight minutes Okonkwo finished with zero points (0-1 FG) and one rebound over eight minutes during Saturday's 89-81 victory over Kansas State.

Impact During the 2022-23 Mountaineers' tournament action, Okonkwo is expected to be a substitute who does not play much. He averaged 10.4 minutes across his 28 games between Nov. 7 and March 4. Because tournament games are expected to be competitive, the Mountaineers may have Jimmy Bell play more rather than alternating him with Okonkwo.

MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Saturday Okonkwo (ankle) is available for Saturday's game versus Kansas State, Blue Gold News reports.

Impact Okonkwo is set to play Saturday after being considered questionable with an ankle injury. The sophomore forward was able to move around well at shootaround.

MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time decision Saturday Okonkwo (ankle) is a game-time decision for Saturday's game against Kansas State, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

Impact The sophomore is a game-time decision with an ankle injury. The forward is averaging 2.6 points and 3.0 rebounds this season. If Okonkwo does not return today, his next chance would be before the conference tournament begins.

MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sustains ankle injury Okonkwo (ankle) exited Monday's game with a right ankle injury, Jared MacDonald of Bowling Green Daily News reports.

Impact Okonkwo was unable to return to the contest, and he logged just one rebound across one minute of action in the 72-69 win over Iowa State. The 6-foot-8 sophomore, who has averaged 2.6 points, three rebounds and 0.7 blocks on 10.5 minutes per game, will likely be a game-time decision for Saturday's showdown with Kansas State.

FEBRUARY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Double-double in blowout Okonkwo closed with 10 points (3-4 FG, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one block across 14 minutes during Saturday's 93-61 victory over Oklahoma.

Impact Okonkwo posted the first double-double of his short career despite playing just 14 minutes. This was also the 6-foot-8 sophomore's second game with double-digit rebounds this season, which was likely due to an increased number of opportunities given the extreme runaway nature of this game. His four field-goal attempts were also his second most of any game this season, so it's not worth putting much stock in this outlier performance for Okonkwo.

FEBRUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Solid contributions off the bench Okonkwo posted six points (1-1 FG, 4-5 FT), four rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 15 minutes during Saturday's 80-77 win over Auburn.

Impact Okonkwo played at least 14 minutes for the third game in a row after averaging just 6.1 minutes per game across his previous nine outings. The 6-foot-8 sophomore has also provided a solid presence on the defensive end, logging five blocks and 18 rebounds (13 defensive) over this span. However, Okonkwo's overall contributions will likely remain limited unless he can break his way into the starting rotation.

JANUARY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns Friday Okonkwo (suspension) logged 15 minutes off the bench Friday against Pennsylvania, putting up four points (2-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt), five rebounds and a block.

Impact Okonkwo returned after a one-game suspension due to a disciplinary problem, but even when he's available, he's not much of a fantasy factor. He's yet to play more than 15 minutes or score more than four points in any of his previous three contests.

NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

DNP due to disciplinary problem Okonkwo did not play during West Virginia's game Tuesday because of a disciplinary problem, according to Blue Gold News.

Impact Apparently, the disciplinary issue occurred right before West Virginia's 75-57 win Tuesday versus Morehead State. He will try to be available before WVU hosts Pennsylvania on Friday.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't play Tuesday Okonkwo didn't play during Tuesday's 75-57 win over Morehead State.

Impact There is no indication that Okonkwo has suffered any injury, so his absence from Tuesday's game appears to be a coaching decision. Okonkwo was averaging 2.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 12.0 minutes across the first two games of the season.

NOVEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes season debut Okonkwo (foot) finished Saturday's 67-51 win over Radford with two points (1-2 FG) and two rebounds in five minutes.

Impact Okonkwo was not long ago facing the possibility of a redshirt due to a foot injury, but he was able to make his debut Saturday. The freshman forward was efficient despite limited minutes, and could get a chance to see his role grow, given his health.

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Could redshirt this season Okonkwo (foot) is facing the possibility of a redshirt for the 2021-22 season, Schuyler Callihan of Sports Illustrated reports.

Impact The report cites a press conference with head coach Bob Huggins in which Huggins admits that the original plan was to redshirt Okonkwo, but that the 6-8 freshman impressed him enough for an early-season role to be in consideration. He then suffered a foot injury in late-September and there haven't been many updates since, though Huggins did note that "it's neither [a break or fracture]." He went on to explain in non-formal medical terms how two bones that were once together were ultimately separated, expressing uncertainty in what the recovery procedure looks like, as well as the original 5-to-6 week timeline. In the meantime, West Virginia has been starting a pair of underclassmen in freshman Isaiah Cottrell and sophomore Jalen Bridges at the two frontcourt positions, with seniors Dimon Carrigan and Gabe Osabuohien representing the first two off the bench.

NOVEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hoping to get on court soon Okonkwo (foot) is hoping to return to the court soon, SI.com reports.

Impact Okonkwo suffered a foot injury a month ago and was expected to miss the first part of the season. The freshman was impressive in workouts over the summer and should have a chance to contribute once healthy and not have to redshirt.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't play in scrimmage Okonkwo (foot) didn't play in Friday's scrimmage versus Akron.

Impact Okonkwo was a surprise inclusion in warmups prior to the game, though it's unclear to what extent he was participating. He should be considered questionable, at best, for the season opener considering he was expected to miss at least the first month of the season initally.

OCTOBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Surprise inclusion in warmups Okonkwo (foot) is taking part in warmups ahead of Friday's exhibition versus Akron, Blue Gold News reports.

Impact It was reported that Okonwko would be set to miss the first month-plus of the season due to a broken bone in his foot, so it's surprising, to say the least, that he's able to participate in warmups. It remains to be seen if he will actually see the floor in the contest, but it's certainly a good sign regarding his health with the season drawing close.

OCTOBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

JAMES OKONKWO NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

Terrence Brown, Don McHenry help Utah hold off stubborn California Baptist 91-85

Cal hosts McHenry and Utah

Arizona takes on Akron in first round of NCAA Tournament

Okonkwo's 17 help Akron defeat Eastern Michigan 105-81